New Orleans area police briefs for March 2, 2013

New Orleans area police briefs for March 2, 2013

Orleans inmate dies from heart attack

New Orleans — An inmate being held by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office collapsed and died on Thursday.

Wardel Taylor, 36, died on his birthday from cardiac arrest after he collapsed in Orleans Parish Prison. Taylor was taken to a local hospital after he collapsed. He later died.

Taylor had been booked with aggravated rape and was being held on $1 million bail. Officials later announced that Taylor died of a heart attack, but toxicology reports are still pending.

Man stabbed during domestic argument

New Orleans — An eastern New Orleans man reported being stabbed and bitten by his girlfriend after the couple argued over their children on Thursday night.

The incident was reported around 10:41 p.m. in the 10000 block of Dwyer Road. The victim said he and his girlfriend had an altercation, and during the incident she stabbed him in the arm then bit him on the chest.

The victim was taken to a local hospital in good condition.

Man stabbed while standing on street

New Orleans — A local man reported that he was stabbed in the back by a stranger Thursday night.

The victim told police that he was standing near the intersection of North Miro Street and Music Street when an unknown man approached him from behind and stabbed him in the back. Police say the victim reported that his assailant was dressed in black and fled in an unknown direction after the incident. The victim was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

Gretna police probe double shooting

Gretna — Gretna police are still searching for suspects in a double shooting on Hancock Street on Thursday afternoon.

Deputy Chief Anthony Christiana said police received reports of gunshots near Chilo Street and Hancock Street around 6:36 p.m. He said when police arrived at a home in the 2100 block of Hancock Street, they found two men shot inside. One man had a gunshot wound to the head, and the other was wounded in the shoulder. Christiana said the victim who was shot in the head was in critical condition.

Witnesses told police a man knocked on the door of the home and opened fire once the door was open. The gunman continued to fire through the door after the victim slammed it shut. On Friday, Christiana said police are still looking for information in the incident.

Child wounded in accidental shooting

New Orleans — The accidental shooting of an 11-year-old boy Thursday night resulted in the arrest of the victim’s 15-year-old brother.

New Orleans police reported that the incident happened Thursday evening in the 2700 block of Onzaga Street shortly after 7 p.m.

Police initially reported that an 11-year-old victim had received a gunshot wound to the leg, and detectives were searching for a vehicle seen fleeing the area.

However, police later reported that the boy and his brother were playing with a loaded gun when it accidentally discharged and hit the youngster. The 15-year-old was booked with negligent injuring.

Man, 18, arrested in Metairie robbery

Metairie — The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office booked an 18-year-old man with armed robbery after they say he and an accomplice robbed two women Tuesday.

The robbery was reported in the 4400 block of South Olympia Street in Metairie around midnight, said Glen Boyd, a sheriff’s spokesman. Boyd said Dequan Alonzo and an accomplice robbed the two women after jumping out of a car with their faces covered.

Investigators were able to track down Alonzo through his vehicle, which was seen at the scene. Alonzo was booked with two counts of armed robbery and police are searching for an additional suspect.

15 accused of filing false oil leak claims

New Orleans — Federal prosecutors have accused 15 Louisiana and Texas residents of receiving more than $300,000 they didn’t deserve through the claims process for the Deepwater Horizon oil leak.

The fraud charges are related to claims filed through the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, which was established to pay out money for lost earnings or damage from the oil leak.

The suspects worked in a variety of jobs from fisherman to hotel worker to restaurant worker, and authorities say they submitted fraudulent documents claiming to have suffered a loss due to the leak. The cases were investigated by the United States Secret Service, FBI and United States Postal Service.

St. Tammany deputy receives top honor

St. Tammany — The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office named a 13-year veteran of the department as its deputy of the year Friday.

Detective Chad Risey, who investigates person crimes for the agency, was celebrated for his tenacious nature, particularly in regards to crimes involving domestic violence. Risey began at the Sheriff’s Office in 1999.

Citizen’s Academy to begin next month

Harvey — The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is inviting residents to participate in its April 11 Citizens’ Academy to learn more about how the JPSO operates.

The program is free to the public and includes 24 hours of instruction on the programs, procedures and challenges of the Sheriff’s Office. Participants will meet weekly on Tuesdays for three hours, and the program includes field trips to different locations.